The US Department of State issued its annual report about terrorism that
included seven countries that support terrorism. Four of these are Arab
and Islamic countries: Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Sudan. One is an Islamic
country, Iran, and the remaining two, Cuba and North Korea, are neither
Arab nor Muslim countries. The report pointed to Iran as the primary
supporter of "terrorism." However, it mentioned that Libya and
Sudan made progress toward less support of "terrorism." The
report was clear in considering the Palestinian struggle to end the
Israeli occupation as "terrorism." Cuba was considered a
supporter of terrorism because it has given refuge to dissident from
central and south America. The report did not specify why is North Korea
listed as a supporter of terrorism (alquds al-arabi, 5/22/02).

The report is an evidence of the
Israeli influence on the US foreign policy. Israel is the most terrorist
state in the world. It has not stopped the killing of Palestinian
civilians, destroying their property, occupying their areas, and
terrorizing them by all means. Yet, it was not listed as a terrorist
state. At the same, the Palestinian organizations that resist the
Israeli occupation are listed as terrorist organizations. Iran, Syria,
and Iraq are listed as supporters of "terrorism," because of
their support for Lebanese and Palestinian resistance against the
Israeli occupation. The most strange part of the report is including
North Korea and Cuba as supporters of terrorism while they have not done
anything that may classify them as such. They are not involved in any
conflict and they do not support any group fighting anywhere in the
world. It is so sad that the US Department of State is still influenced
by Israel to this extent. There should be clear distinction between
terrorism and resistance to foreign military occupation. Until this
happens, the world will continue looking at the Untied State foreign
policy representing the interests of Israel, not the interests of the
United States.